POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 8610, 2 September 1891, Page 4

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[From Odr Parliamentary Reporter.]

WELLINGTON, September 2. The Land BUI. When the House settled down to the Laud Bill on Monday night after the decision on the motion to rescind the censnre passed on Mr Bryse only a few remained, and the iJill was passed through in a manner which did not speak much for the wisdom of the House. There was a block vote against the amendments proposed by any member of the Opposition, and when the division bell was rung the Ministerialists trooped in from the lobbies, and always

Voted at their patty's cn'l Without ever thinking for themselves at all.

One instance of the carelessness of general principle was afforded in dealing with the North Island Railway Loan. In this case the Native lands acquired by loan moneys, and given as security for repayment to the loan account of the sums taken for that purpose, were made to contribute to local purposes. Another instance was tho introduction of a clause affecting the Westport Colliery Reserve. Altogether the manner and form in which the Bill was passed through, loc# after midnight, was not creditable, and there can bo little wonder if, when it is carefully examined in " another place," it is severely handled. One amusing incident occurred when Mr Meredith took occasion to lecture Mr Rollesfcon on what were Liberal principles and as to his shortcomings as a Liberal. Mr Rolloston curtly tokf the member for Ashley that he could not look to him for advice, and that ho (Mr Meredith) had a good deal to explain to his constituents as to the manner in which be had broken his election pledges. With this rebuke Mr Meredith quietly subsided. Legislative Council Reform. There was a good deal of di3Cusaion in connection with the second reading of the Legislative Council Reform Bill in tho House last night. The Premier explained that the Government could not accept the Bill as sent down from " another place " in two particulars, aud that in committee he should endeavor to have the term of future appointments rcduoed from ten to seven years, aud that the appointment of Speaker should be the patronage of the Government of the day. He also proposed to reduce the minimum ago of members from thirty-five to twentyone years. The Bill met with a good deal of approval, among its warmest supporters being the Hon. T. Fergus and Hon. Captain Russell. Most opposition came from Mr Saunders, who was of opinion that the Council should consist of not more than thirty-five member?, and that it should bo elected under the Haro Bystem by the people of New Zealand when a vacancy occurred, and tho member who had held a seat longest in the House should be appointed Speaker. In the hon. gentleman's opinion nothing in the way of reform was proposed in the present Bill.

Mr Kelly (Invercargill) thought that if the measmvs affeot'iDg the labor classes were to ba passed a large number of accessions would have to be made to the Council before this time next year. Mr Buckland, replying to some remarks which had fallen from the member for Invercargill, said that it was lucky for the Labor party that the Shop Hours Bill had been mutilated, for its passage-, a 9 sent up to the Couno'tl, would have done a great injury to the country. Mr Earnshaw eaid that the Council had that day shown how entirely it was out of touch with the paople of the colony. From the North Cape to the Bluff the whole workers of New Zealand, he asserted, really desired th.it the Friendly Sooieties Amendment Bill should beeomo law. The Conservative members of that Chamber had done more to strengthen the Liberal party than anything else that had been done by it. The secorid reading of the Bill was agreed to on the voices, and its committal fixed for Thursday. The Se\y Taxation.

The Land and Income Tax Assessment Bill was received by Message from the Governor last night, with an amondment of a purely technical nature, which was agreed to by the House, Jottings

The Minister of Marine is to be asked what course ho proposes to take with regard to the minimum shi at which flounders may be caught. The Workmen's Lion Bill passed through committee in the House last night, was read a third time, and passed. The correspondence in which the late Public Trustee asked for inoreased assistance in the work Gf his department has been ordered to be laid before the Honae,

The Female Suffrage Bill will come up in the House to-day for consideration in committee, and a determined effort will be made to get ft provision inserted in the measure suspending it oomlng into operation till January 1, 1894, or after the next General Election. After a £;ial protest from several members of the Opposition the Land Bill passed its third readiug without a division. Colonel Fraser intends to move an amendment to the Female Suffrage Bill in the direction of enabling women to exercise nil eleotoral privileges and ooaupy seats in Parliament. The Defence Minister says that he is already supplying Martini-Henry ammunition to rifle olubs at coat price, and he cannot redoes the charge as suggested by Dr Newman. If, however, he finds it ponsiblo to procure it more cheaply he will give the clubs the benefit of the reduction, Ministers are still setting thete faces against nominated immigration in general, but it is probable that a vote for bringing out the relatives of colonists will be renewed on the Supplementary Estimates. Tha Customs and Excise Duties Bill lias passed thtough committee in the Legislative Council unamended, wi been referred to a seleot committee.

The Mining Bill, which is a consolidating measure of nearly 400 clauses, tnd is now before the Council, ie the joint production of tho preßent Minister of Mines and his predecessor. Sir J. Hall says that the Government have BO obedient a majority that they will pat on the Statute Book anything that their leaders tell thorn to, It is the intention of tho Minister of Lands to have all land surveyed before offering it for settlement. Mr Maoarthur is again unwell, and has been granted a week's leave. The River Boards Amendment Bill and the Book Purchasers' Protection Bill have passed their final stages in the Counoil. Nearly a Scene. At one stage of last night's proceedings there was eve*y appearance of another "scene," in which the number for Waitotara promised to figure prominently f but Mr Hutchison stood to his ground, and She incident fortunately passed over without any unpleasant oonsequenees. The third reading cf the Land Bill was the subject under dispusslon, and in the course of his remarks Mr Hutohiaon complained of the intemperate statements made early on Thursday morning by the Minister of Lands—-

statements which had led to a most serious occurrence, He had challenged the Minister of Lands, both on the second reading and in committee, to produce the letters he had referred to, but the Minister had said, with that nice courtesy for whioh he was now becoming celebrated, that he should neither produce the letters nor withdraw the charge made in them against him (Mr Hutchison), It might be that the letters which the Hon. Mr M'Kenzie referred to were private ; but, if that were so, he had no right to quote them in the House, He (Mr Hutchison) desired to Bay that if the Minister deolined to produce his letter or to retract his charge he would put himself in the position, of an anonymous libeller.— (Cries of««Oh.") Mr Speaker inquired whether he understood the hon. gentleman to apply the term "an anonymous libeller" to a member of the House ?

Mr Hutchison replied that he had said that If the Minister persisted in the position he had taken up, and refused to retract or to produce the letters, then he took up the position of an anonymous libeller. He submitted that there was nothing unparliamentary in bis language, and he regretted if he could not refer to the hon. gentleman's oonduct in the manner which he had, for it would be hard to find language to express his meaning. Mr Speaker: If the hon, gentleman does not moan that the Minister of Land is a libeller I shall allow him to use the expression. Mr Hutchison: That must depend on the Minister of Lands himself.

Mr Speaker: Well, then, if the hon. gentleman ia going to use words open to that interpretation I must ask him to withdraw them.

Mr Hutchison: I understand, sir, by a former ruiirjg of yours, that if a member withdraw words ho has used without following that by any apology or expression of regret that the words are as if they were not. Now, that is the position I wish to hold.

Mr Speaker: The words are withdrawn, but it is open to the House to demand an apology for tho use of them. Mr Hutchison : I have not been asked for an apology. Mr Speaker: The hon. gentleman does not put the thing correccly with regard to the former ruling, in which I said words having been withdrawn ceaaed to exist, and could not be commented on. But it does not follow from that ruling that tbe mere withdrawal will always be accepted. That is what I maintain.

Mr Hutchison : Well, sir, I am always prepared, when I see grounds on reflection, to withdraw words that havo been used; but I do not see the grounds here which exist for the withdrawal of those words. On the contrary, I have put a supposititious o:v>e. If the Minister persists in this anonymous attack, then I say he is in the position of an anonymous libeller. I do not know whother ho is ambitious of holding the posi tion, and I submit that at present I am not out of order.

Mr Speaker : As to the application of the word " libeller," to which I took exception, and I think rightly, the hon. gentleman must make it clear whether ho wishes the House to understand that he appließ the term " libeller "to the Ministor. If ho does not, the words are not ont of order. Mr Hutchison: In the event of him not producing the letters or withdrawing his reference to them, I certainly say I would refer to him aa an anonymous libeller; but it is not clear whether he seeks to occupy that position or not, and the fact remains. The hon. gentleman was then permitted to complete his speech without interruption. The Dentists BUI. The Premier was waited on yesterday afternoon by Messrs Dawson, Lawry, Palmer, and E. M. Smith, who asked him to take charge of the Dentists Bill. Mr Ballance promised to bring it forward this week and get it through its stages without delay. The Bill, whioh is favored by tfco dental profession, is a repealing measure. Section 3 of subsection 1 of the existing Act provides that persons may be registered as dentists who have been qualified as set forth in the Act, and who, within one year from the end of their apprenticeship, shall have been certified under the Act. The new Bill repeals the words " within one year." Dr Pollen Equal to the Occasion. In view of recent events, an observation made by the Hon. Dr Pollen in the Legislative Council yesterday aftornoon is decidedly clever. Explaining why ho had taken chargo of the Mining Bill, which is a Government measure, the hon. gentleman said: "At this time, when a suspicion of being ' rquared' readily attaches to the public mind, I may be permitted to say that I hold a brief on this occasion, only I have cot received any retainer. In this caße no fee is marked on the brief, and my expectations of refreshers during the conduct of the case ia limited to what Mr Swiveller wculd call 'a modest quencher at Bellamy's,' an expectation in whioh I hope I shall not bo disappointed," The Shops Hours Bill Withdrawn. The Shop Hours Bill, which has created Buoh a stir throughout the colony, has been withdrawn by the Colonial Secretary from tho Legislative Council, and in its place another measure has been introduced, This oonaiats of only two operative clauses, the compulsory half-holiday, which is to be in the discretion of the local authority, and actively engaged in shops. The other clauses in the Bill, which will como under the consideration of the Legislative Council this afternoon, are mere machinery provision?. Miners versos " Promoters," Acoording to the Hon. Dr Pollen there are two olasses of miners in the colony—the working man with his piok and shovel, and "promoter" with his enticing prospectus and his sorip. In the Mining Bill now before Parliament the practioal industry of the real miner is carefully guarded, but the "mine promoter," whose work generally ia to eink his shafts into the pookets of the speculating public has his winga clipped. The Union Company's Insurance Scheme. Sir George Grey's Bill to amend the Friendly Sooieties Act bo aa to compel the registration of enoh benefit societies as that formed in connection with the Union Steam Ship Company, and thereby vest the sole control in hands of members, had rather sitting accommodation for females when not unceremonious despatch in the Legislative Couooil yesterday afternoon, being thrown out on the motion for the seoond reading by 20 to 5.

The Colonial Secretary, in moving the eeoond reading, referred indirectly to the Union Steam Sbip Company's Benefit Sooiety, saying that no matter how well the intentions wero of those who framed tho regulations for suoh associations between employers and employed, they would most probably land employed in difficulties, and it would be with them a sort of •* Hobson'e choice " that they should become members of any sooiety formed at the instance of their" employers. He also dwelt upon the advantages possessed by registered societies in bei°g am \ e to recover debts of money wrongfully appropriated. Sir George's littlo Bill seemed to have few friends in tho Council, and those who spoke subsequently condemned the measure jn unqualified terms. It was urged that the Bill would destroy many useful benefit societies at present established in connection with bants and other financial institutions 5 that it would prevent co-operation between employers and employes { and thai; those who supported the Bill really did not know the serious coasequenoes that would be involved in its adoption. The Hon. Mr Stevens characterised the Bill as containing about as tyrannical a proposal as it would Jje possible to conceive, while Dr Pollen asserted fch&t it was nothing more or less than the desire of trades unions to prevent their unfortunate victims escaping from their tyranny. The proposal that the Bill be read a seoond time that day six months was moved by Dr Grace, and oarried by 20 to 5, the minority comprising the Colonial Seoretary, the Hons. Messrs Taiaroa, Shrimski, Wilson, and Dignan. A Peeler.

Speaking on the Legislative Council Reform BjH, Mr J. Kelly expressed the opinion that if legislation affeotipg the labor classes was to be passed a number of appointrnepts vrou).d have to be made to the Counoil before next year. Wfcefthpr thjta was in r tended aaa "feeler" or not I cannot say, but the suggestion was well received,

It is rumored in the. lobbies that if tho Land Bill ia very seriously handled in the Council Ministers will be prepared to submit to the. Governor a batch of recommendations for appointment to tbe Council. The Land Bill. After occupying the greater part of the past week, this ineaßure has at last passed its final stages in tbe Lower Souse, and will today be forwarded to "another place," where it is likely to meet with a perilous passage. On the motion for the third reading of the Bill, Sir J. Hall said that as tbe Premier was a strong believer in land nationalisation, and the Minister of Lands had openly stated that Crown grants would be unknown within half a century, the Government would doubtless endeavor to wholly take away from the nettlers the right of acquiring the freehold of land. He was, however, convinced that there was no more chance of the Minister of Lands doing away with the desire that existed amongst tho people for possessing freeholds than there was of that estimable lady Mrs Partington being successful in her efforts to sweep back the Atlantic Ooean with a broom.

Mr Buokland was certain that the people would eventually acquire freeholds, no matter what laws were passed at the present time. He characterised the Bill as most illiberal ?.n every respect. Mr J. W. Thomson supported freehold ss tho best form of tenure, and expressed the opinion that the tendency of tho Minister of Linds was in that direction. Ho hoped that they would shortly seo that hon. gentleman in a more reasonable frame of mind. He wished the Bill every success.

Mr Valentine wished to enter his final protest against the Bill, whioh he thought would be inimicable to the beat interests of the colony. He held that there was absolutely no tenure whatever assured to the people, for one clause of the Bill gave the Minister the whole power in this respect. Mr George Hutchison said that the Bill was a most unfortunate one, not only as regarded altering the tenure of the Land Act, but alao in respect to the intemperate statements made by ths Minister of Lands. Dr Newman had no particular fault to find with the Minister of Lands in regard to this measure, but he wished to draw the Minister's attention to the wants of the WolHngtoa district in connection with the Bill. He impressed upon the Minister the necessity for advancing the settlement of the country along the line of route of the North Island Trunk Railway, and taking some steps in the direction of conserving the forest of the North Island. Mr Duncan did not hold with the Government a' 3 to the perpetual lease system, but hs believed that the large areas of land taken up under that form of tenure would eventually become freeholds. He approved of the Bill, as tending to put an end to the monopoly which existed on the part of the companies who owned large tracts of pastoral land. Messrs Mackintosh and Taylor spoke strongly in support of the measure. The Minister of Lauds, in replying, said that every argument adduced that night had been answered by him time after time. Ho denied that the Bill took away the freehold Eystem of tenure, and held that it contained three forms of tenure, Further, it seemed to be forgotten that anyone who wanted to take up land oould do so under the perpetual lease system, and that the land could eventually be turned into freehold. There was no doubt that public opinion was tending in the direction of the principles contained in the Bill, and although the present Government might become unpopular, the next Government would have to retain all the liberal clauses set forth in this Bill. Ho thanked Mr Rolleston, Sir John Hall, and the Hon. G. F. Richardson for the able assistance given by them in passing the Bill. The Minister of Lands, replying a 1; a later stage of the debate, said he wished to allude to the very personal remarks made concerning himself by the member for Waitotara. Ha did not jump to his feet and appeal to Mr Speaker to take down his words. He had never appealed to hon. members to retract words and bo fcrth. [Mr Fergus: " But your colleagues do."] He was spaakisg at the present time for himself, and he appealed to hon. gentlemen whether he had not sat in his place and listened to every vulgar name that; the English language could apply to him from the opposite side of the House.—(Ministerial cheers.) On the memorable occasion to which the hon. gentleman had made reference, accusations or every kind had been hurled at him from the Opposition members, one hon. gentleman even comparing him to "a kerosene tin tied to a dog's tail."—(Roars of laughter.) Now, was it not beyond human nature that anyone could sit quietly'fend hear that sort of thing said concerning himself? He did not, however, appeal for the protection of the Chair, but waited till his chance came of replying. He did not feel the slightest shame for any of his conduct in that House. Whenever the member for Waitotara got up to speak he (Mr M'Kenzie) thought that that hon. gentleman had mistaken his calling j that he ought to have been a Burgeon, for he could cut any human body into twenty piecaa without a wink of his eje.—(Laughter.) The hon. gentleman had sat up that night a high standard of a code of honor, but what would members of the Opposition have thought of his high honor just a year ago ? He (Mr M'Kenzie) was not going to be judged in that House or in the City of Wellington as to what his oharaoter —whether private, personal, or tie a member of that Bouse was; he preferred to be judged by the district where he had resided for thirty years, and which for the past twenty-one years had appointed him to every position of honor and trusfcwifchintheirpower. On Thursday night ho had stated that the member for Waitotara did not represent publio opinion in his own district on the land question. Was there anything wrong in that? Then he had Btated that an old settler in Shag Valley, who was now settled in the Waitotara electorate, had told him that he had voted for Mr Hutchison because he wanted to keep his opponent out, though he knew the hon. gentleman would "sell" him on the first occasion.—(Laughter.) Was there anything wrong in that? Then he had referred to certain letters.

Mr Hutohison < Hear, hear. That's what I Witjt,

The Hon. Mr M'Kenzte: Ho had, as Minister of Lands, received letters wbioh it was not proper that he should read in that House ; but was it to be supposed that the knq vledge so got was not to be made use of ? He thought that he had replied to the charges made against him. Mr Hutchiaon: You have evaded my challenge. Tho Minister of Lands: It was a matter of indifference to him what opinion the member for Waitotara bad of him. He told the hon. gentleman that frankly the hon, gentleman oould say anything he liked concerning him, and he (the Hon, Mr M'Kenzie) promised not to olaim the protection of the Chair, but he would claim the right of hitting back when it was his tarn to speak. Tho Bill was then read a third time and passed. Unclaimed Lands.

One fact whioh cams prominently under the notice of the Public Trust Commissioners in the course of their late inquiry was that there are numerous town areas and ooontry sections in various parts of the colony for which no ownero oan be found, some of them being occapiod by persons who have no right to them. Mr Maodonald, as one of the Commissioners, suggested to the Government yesterday that these lands, as well as moneys which have lain unclaimed for over six years in banks and other financial institutions, should be taken possession of by the State. The Premier thanked the hon. geutieman for polling his attention to this additional source of revenue, and promised to consider the matter in the recess with & view to legislation.